Naoise wins world crown on home soil
SHE CAME, she fought, she conquered.
Elite martial arts athlete Naoise McManus from Wexford town attended the world kickboxing championships in Citywest Hotel last week and performed with distinction.
Naoise has been challenging herself all year after securing her spot on the team, selected in the Under-12 girls’ division.
Naoise’s coaches knew she would dominate the division in that age group, so the decision was made to upgrade to Under-15.
The determined youngster knew this would be a massive task but accepted the challenge, and she came third, taking a bronze medal in semi contact, beaten by only two points by a strong American opponent.
She then teamed up with two of her Tallaght martial arts teammates and secured bronze again.
Her last division of the week was her favourite, the light contact. She dominated the entire section, making it throught to the finals on Friday.
Naoise beat her Scottish opponent by a unanimous desision to the roars of the Irish team and supporters.
‘Winning a world championship title at home is the best feeling in the world,’ she said afterwards.
Naoise trains at Tallaght martial arts two to three times a week under the guidance of national semi contact coach Dave Heffernan, and full contact and ringsports national coach Jim Upton.
Naoise would like to thank her sponsor for the world championships, Ferrycarrig Autobody Repairs, who made her trip possible.